HOUSTON -- A lack of leads had sheriff's deputies asking for the public's help on Tuesday in the case of a mother found dead on a popular Galveston County beach, KPRC Local 2 reported.

Campers discovered Bridgett Gearen's body lying on the sand on Crystal Beach near the water's edge on July 15.

Detectives said Gearen, 28, had been raped and strangled.

Investigators said Gearen was renting a beach house with friends and was last seen the night before when she left the home alone for a walk.

Her brother said Gearen's death has been very hard on the family.

"Bridgett was taken away way too soon from all of us from this world," Jimmy Goodson said.

Officials said the investigation has led them in many different directions, but not the right ones.

"Over just the past few days, we have had some very promising leads called in that have led us to look at some very interesting individuals. But every single one of those leads has turned out to be a dead end," said Maj. Ray Tuttoilmondo of the Galveston County Sheriff's Department. "There is someone out there. I don't know who it is. I don't know where they are. But there is someone out there that knows what happened to Bridgett."

Gearen is survived by a 2-year-old daughter, who asks about her mom every day, family members said.

"We've told her daughter that she's now an angel," Goodson said.

A $10,000 reward is being offered in the case. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Galveston County Sheriff's Office at 409-766-2222.